Southwest Detroit residents wary of air pollution and odors eminating from the Marathon oil refinery may find relief as the company moves forward with a $2.2 billion expansion.

Marathon Petroleum Company announced today that it will offer all homeowners in the Oakwood Heights neighborhood a generous buy-out package, with plans of creating a 100-acre green space to serve as a buffer between the expanded refinery and residences.

The Detroit News reports homeowners will be offered a base price of $40,000 or the average price of two appraisals, whichever is greater. They'll also be given allowances for real estate advice, miscellaneous expenses and mortgage assistance.

"Someone with a $30,000 appraised home is going to walk away with $61,000," Tracy Case, a division manager with Marathon Petroleum, told the newspaper.

While Detroit has a long and troubled history with relocation efforts, this one is voluntary and -- provided homeowners think they're getting a fair shake in the appraisal process -- seems like a logical choice for those tired of living near heavy industry.

It also sounds oddly familiar.

The Marathon announcement comes as Detroit continues to develop its own plan to concentrate population by encouraging relocation from blighted to stable neighborhoods -- the oft-stalled Detroit Works Project.

Despite the generous offer, relocation won't be easy and will take time. Marathon says homeowners can sign up through February of 2012, and the company expects to end the buy-outs program by the end of 2013.